A Press Democrat Blog

Seasonal Pantry at your fingertips

This year our beloved Gravenstein apple came on strong and fast. The crop is down because of warm weather in January, early drought and then rain right during bloom. If you love Gravensteins, don’t miss this weekend’s Gravenstein Apple Fair. … Read More »

The Frates Rd. entrance to Green String Farms is lined with olive trees and rose bushes planted in wine barrels. The Adobe Rd. entrance takes you through fields of crops punctuated by trees, marigolds and other flowers, past a large chicken coop filled with happy laying hens and a few other farm buildings before you reach your destination, the farm store, with its with freshly-harvested produce. In mid-August, the patio is filled with mounds of tomatoes, some ideal for sauce,… Read More »

On Sunday afternoon, as shadows grew long and the wind had me reaching for a warm scarf, the parking lot of Green String Farms was bustling with cars, customers coming and going, arms full of spring’s early harvest. The farm store is surrounded by “U-Dig” flower starts, vegetable seedlings, herbs, small trees–dwarf palms, pine, buckeye and olive–and a small mountain of crushed rock, a perfect garden supplement. Under a colorful chalk sign announcing free farm tours at noon on Saturday… Read More »

Just as the reality of drought settled in, the rains came, welcome, wonderful and disruptive, especially of early spring’s harvest. The effect was all over the Sebastopol farmers market on the last Sunday in March. Farmers don’t skip a market because it is wet outside. In some instances–Sebastopol’s Laguna Farms, for example–heavy rains prevent them from getting into their fields to pick. Others can get into certain fields but not others. Hector Alvarez and Triple T Farm could not get… Read More »

Because artichokes are bountiful in the spring, it is easy to assume they are a spring crop. But in California, which supplies 100 percent of commercial artichokes in the US, artichokes are harvested year round, with crops peaking in the spring and again in the fall. … Read More »

Why pay a premium for out-of-season produce when local crops are by definition in season and delicious? Eat This Now looks at the soaring price of produce and features recipes perfect for the season. … Read More »

About This Blog

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Have trouble remembering what’s in season when? Looking for a favorite recipe from the Seasonal Pantry or Pairing archives? Michele Anna Jordan, Press Democrat columnist, chef, teacher and author of almost 20 books, draws from 17 years of columns and articles for seasonal suggestions, recipes and menus and tips on exactly where to get the finest local foods at their peak moment. And, yes, she takes requests. Just name the dish or even a few of the ingredients and, like magic, you’ll find the recipe here in no time. Any questions related to ingredients, cooking, nutrition and eating are welcome.